Church, unity and fellowship of

The church is one in essence, because it is founded on one gospel, united to one Lord and indwelt by one Spirit. Its unity is under constant threat because of the tendency to division that is inherent in fallen humanity, and needs to be continually maintained and actively expressed in fellowship.

The unity of the church

The church is one

Romans 12:5 See also 1 Corinthians 12:12, 1 Corinthians 12:20; Ephesians 4:25

so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.

The church transcends all barriers

Colossians 3:11 See also John 10:16; Acts 10:28–29, Acts 10:47, Acts 15:8–9; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:14–16, Ephesians 3:6 The great divide threatening the first Christians was between Jew and Gentile, but the church was able to unite the two into one body in Christ.

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.

The church's unity reflects the unity within the Trinity

Ephesians 4:4–6 The unity of the church is built around the persons of the Trinity: one Spirit, one Lord, one Father. See also John 17:11; Romans 3:29–30, Romans 10:12–13; Galatians 3:27–28

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

The church's unity is the work of the Trinity

Ephesians 2:16–18 See also John 11:52; Acts 10:45–47; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:22, Ephesians 4:3

and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

The purpose of the church's unity

To lead others to faith

John 17:23 See also John 17:21

I in them and You in Me — that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

To lead believers to maturity

Ephesians 4:13

until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

The nature of the church's unity

Philippians 2:1–2 Emphasis is placed on an inner unity of mind and spirit rather than external uniformity. See also 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 2:2

Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.

Appeals for unity in the church

Ephesians 4:3 See also Romans 12:10, Romans 15:5, Romans 15:7; 1 Corinthians 12:25; Colossians 3:14; 1 Peter 3:8

and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

The church's unity is expressed in fellowship

Fellowship with God

1 Corinthians 1:9 See also 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 1:3, 1 John 1:6–7

God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Fellowship expressed by meeting together

Acts 2:46 See also Acts 2:1, Acts 2:42, Acts 5:12, Acts 6:2; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Hebrews 10:25

With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,

Fellowship expressed through sharing resources

Acts 2:44–45 See also Acts 4:32, Acts 4:34–37, Acts 11:27–30; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2; 2 Corinthians 8:2–5, 2 Corinthians 8:13–14, 2 Corinthians 9:13; Philippians 4:14–18

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.

Fellowship through suffering

Revelation 1:9 See also Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 1:7; Philippians 3:10, Philippians 4:14; Hebrews 10:33–34, Hebrews 13:3

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus.

Fellowship through shared spiritual blessings

1 Corinthians 9:23 See also Romans 11:17; Philippians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Peter 5:1; Jude 1:3

I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

Specific actions which express fellowship and unity in the church

Sharing in the Lord's Supper

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 See also Acts 2:46, Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:33

Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

Baptism as an expression of unity

Ephesians 4:4–6 See also 1 Corinthians 12:13

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Divisions in the church

Causes of division in the NT church

Personal ambition: Mark 9:34, Mark 10:35–41 parallel Matthew 20:20–24; Acts 6:1; Acts 15:37–40; Philippians 4:2; Romans 16:17; Jude 1:19; 1 Corinthians 1:11–12, 1 Corinthians 3:3–4; 1 Corinthians 6:1–6 litigation and disputes; 1 Corinthians 11:18, 1 Corinthians 11:20–21; James 4:1–3

Warnings against divisions in the church

1 Corinthians 1:10 See also Romans 12:16, Romans 16:17; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Ephesians 4:31; James 4:11

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.

Acceptable differences in the church

In secondary matters of conscience, Christians are to respect rather than judge each other. These things need not impair the essential unity that is in Christ: Romans 14:1–3, Romans 14:5–6; 1 Corinthians 8:9–13; 1 Corinthians 12:4–6, 1 Corinthians 12:14–25; Galatians 2:7

Necessary divisions in the church

Between the true gospel and heretical alternatives: 2 Corinthians 11:2–6, 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; Galatians 1:6–9; Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:16–19; 1 Timothy 4:1–6; 1 John 2:18–19; 2 John 1:9–11; Jude 1:18–20; 1 Corinthians 5:9–10; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Timothy 6:3–5; 2 Timothy 3:2–9; 2 Peter 1:20–21, 2 Peter 2:1–3; Revelation 2:20, Revelation 2:24, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:4; Acts 15:2, Acts 15:5–6, Acts 15:19; Galatians 2:11